Gambling operators reminded of online tool to help ensure their ads do not appear on copyright infringing websites

The Gambling Commission has today (30 November 2020) published the following reminder of the existence of an online tool to help combat piracy:

Operators are being reminded of a tool that can help them ensure their adverts do not appear on copyright infringing websites.

Licence condition 16.1.1 of the Licence conditions and codes of practice sets out that operators must:

a) ensure that they do not place digital advertisements on websites providing unauthorised access to copyrighted content;

b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of their business related to the licensed activities do not place digital advertisements on websites providing unauthorised access to copyrighted content;

c) ensure that the terms upon which they contract with such third parties enable them, subject to compliance with any dispute resolution provisions, to terminate the third party’s contract promptly if, in the Licensee’s reasonable opinion, the third party has been responsible for placing digital advertisements for the licensed activities on such websites.

To help operators adhere to these conditions the Commission is encouraging gambling businesses sign up to the Infringing Website List (IWL) which is owned by the City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit’s (PIPCU).

This is an online portal containing an up-to-date list of copyright infringing sites and helps advertisers, agencies, and other intermediaries determine which sites should not be advertised on.

To sign up to the list and access the full IWL New Account Guide email PIPCUantipiracy@city-of-london.pnn.police.uk and request an account is opened. As part of the request the operators should include their full company address, contact telephone number, email address and one line explaining what their company does.